Longines Spirit Zulu Time. Review
After a month with this watch I thought I had would submit my first ever review, so please be gentle with me.
I was doing research for a nice watch because I was now coming towards retirement and my 60th birthday.
I have had several mechanical watches for a number of years ranging from Ali express sales to Omega Speedmaster reduced. I had also owned a previous Longines, that been a hydroconquest which I liked but think my taste just change because I thought it a little too blingy with the hands. although I was impressed with the price and quality of service when I sent it for a service.
With that in mind I looked at Longines heritage collection and was impressed with what I could see. It was a call between the Legend diver and the Zulu time. I went for the Zulu time.
A quick check on the specs
Movement: L844.4. Lug width 22mm. Lug to Lug: 49mm
Case size: 42mm. Height 13.9mm. Date window.
Sapphire crystal. Power reserve:72 hours.
With the lug to width I opted for the strap option in blue to make sure I could accommodate it on my 7.25 inch wrist.
The presentation box it came in was more than I expected for the price point of £2400.It came with the instruction manual, COSC certificates, warranty card and also a hard backed book with the explorers that have used Longines in their various quests, mainly aviation themed.
The other things that impressed me was the ability to adjust the strap on the fly and is one of the most comfortable watches I have worn. The screw down crown requiring very little push before it contacts with the threads which in my opinion reduces the risk of cross threading. The accuracy even though it is COSC certified to be getting a reading of +1.35 seconds a day I was more than happy with. The biggest thing for me though was been able to tell the time at a glance, which I think some watches actually forget about.
It also has a true GMT movement giving you the ability to change the hour hand and date without stopping the watch.
Any downsides? Well I think anybody with a wrist size smaller than 7 inches should check if it wears OK especially with the bracelet option. Other than that not yet.
I think Longines have really got a good idea of their customers wishes at this price point. A term I hear a lot of Longines is "entry level" a term I dislike myself as it is very subjective, it might be a entry level price, but that is also subjective but a watch with these specs is not to me entry level.
Just to inform you of the kind of person reviewing this. When most football fans follow Man utd I supported Coventry City. Formula one fans followed Alain Prost for Williams , I supported Mark Blundell for Ligier so I guess I like the underdog or at least don't go with the mainstream. To us watch nerds Longines will be a well known name with a lot of history, to joe public, no , they will have no idea, which I like.
Terry
Longines Spirit Zulu Time. Review
Yes
No
- True GMT movement
- Price
- Presentation
- Size
Addicted for years. Interested in military themed watches
Great and useful review👍 Thank you for sharing.
Great and useful review👍 Thank you for sharing.
Pleasure
That watch looks more and more gorgeous every time I see a photo of it!
Nice first review. I'm on the same page with choosing brands that are a bit off the mainstream but with solid heritage. The Longines Spirit Zulu Time with blue dial would be a huge leap up in my watch budget. Certainly a worthy piece for a major milestone like retirement. Great choice.
This watch is on my bucket list. Great review
That watch looks more and more gorgeous every time I see a photo of it!
Photos do it no justice. See it in the flesh if possible
This watch is on my bucket list. Great review
Thanks
Nice first review. I'm on the same page with choosing brands that are a bit off the mainstream but with solid heritage. The Longines Spirit Zulu Time with blue dial would be a huge leap up in my watch budget. Certainly a worthy piece for a major milestone like retirement. Great choice.
I totally understand. My first what I called luxury swiss watch was a used Glycine airman which I still have and love. Watched a YouTube video, mentioning no names, that said Omega was entry level. Me and him must be on different planets.
Great review of an "underdog". Thanks for sharing and I agree with others, the more I see it the more I like it.
Great review. With my small wrists I hope they bring out a 38 to 39mm version
This watch (but with the anthracite dial) will likely be my next acquisition. When I am allowed to make another acquisition. Probably in 2023, lol. So I look forward to your 6 month review 😉
Great review. With my small wrists I hope they bring out a 38 to 39mm version
Cheers Lewis17
Yes I think Longines would have a lot more customers for this watch in them dimensions. With my poor eye sight I can see the dial easily so don't think it would be a problem a little smaller
This watch (but with the anthracite dial) will likely be my next acquisition. When I am allowed to make another acquisition. Probably in 2023, lol. So I look forward to your 6 month review 😉
Well it's definitely a keeper but will probably need a reminder seeing as I can't remember to do the DIY jobs the wife told me about last week 🤥
Well it's definitely a keeper but will probably need a reminder seeing as I can't remember to do the DIY jobs the wife told me about last week 🤥
It's easier to remember the things that are actually fun 😜 I get yelled at for this often as well. My partner just doesn't get it.....
I like this watch esp. With the green bezel it’s on my list. thank you for the review!
Great review 👍 I really love this watch - I really hope they keep playing with the color ways - it’s just an extremely strong release for them. And I agree with the entry level sentiment - it’s bs - I would gleefully through this in a strong choice for a gmt at multiple price points 👏
Outstanding review. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Great review!! I have my eye on this watch so thanks for the info
Pleasure
Great review 👍 I really love this watch - I really hope they keep playing with the color ways - it’s just an extremely strong release for them. And I agree with the entry level sentiment - it’s bs - I would gleefully through this in a strong choice for a gmt at multiple price points 👏
Thanks
Great review. Thanks. Hope to try this on the flesh soon. I'd love to have a travelers GMT to at to my office GMTs ;)
I've been on the fence as to which Longines model to buy. I think you just clinched it for me.
Just a lume shot to add
Just Plain Awesome...
I also have had my eye on this one since they announced it.
On the strength of such reviews I bought one last week, and very very happy with it. I chose the black, like my heart, and I think it looks wonderful, especially with the blue GMT and text.
It wears nicely, although I have just ordered the matt black calf leather strap from Longines after seeing it in the Longines shop in London yesterday.
For me, it was an easy choice, my criteria limited me severely. I work in 3 timezones so needed a GMT with a rotating bezel (unlike the Rolex's), and my poor aging eyesight means I need actual numbers not dots on the dial (so out go Tudor, Omega, most of the Bremont's, etc). I also loved the ceramic bezel, much shinier and (IMHO) easier to read than steel or titanium.
The Breitlings (e.g. the Super AVI B04) sort of comes close, but the dial is just so.... busy, I kept suspecting it would take several moments to actually read the time.
The Longines is much more elegant, and I find myself staring at it during the day. Those raised numbers, the dome. Lovely. :-)
Thank you Tezer296
Bought my Zulu Time last Summer and I am still in love with it.
Belated thanks for the great/helpful review! 🤙🎯
14 month update
Apologies for not being on the forum for a while but semi retired means you have no spare time, sounds counter intuitive but is true.
Just a quick update on the Longines Zulu time.
Any regrets of buying this watch? Nil, Zilch, absolutely not.
In fact I have grown fonder of this watch as time as gone on. I currently have 16 watches in my collection and I am looking for a diver, so one of the 16 will have to go. The Longines is 17th on the list. The only change I've done is the strap, having a warm period of weather here in the UK, so switched the strap to the Zulu diver octopod. The leather strap it came with I still love but the octopod is more breathable and stretches.
Did notice a price increase on the watches but what hasn't gone up here in the UK, except for disposable income.
Tezer296
Another one for me to check out!!
Great review! Thank you! I was recently able to try on the new 39mm Zulu Time and it fits me even better than the 42mm. I always loved the “Blue 42” (set, hike!) and it’s been one of the few watches I’m actually saving up for. I think the new 39mm gives it an extra nudge above some other watches I’ve been looking at, especially on my 6.5”-6.75” wrist size. Cheers! 🍻
I’m considering the 39mm version. Thanks for the review, very helpful